Lister cultivator



Sept. 26, 1933. T. BROWN Er AL 11,928,307

LISTER CULTIVATOR Filed oct. 24, 1927 z sheets-sheet 1 sept. 26, 1933.T. BROWN Er AL 1,928,307

LISTER'CULTIVATOR Filed Oct. 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Patented sept.26, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Lls'rER CUL'rIvAToR TheophilusBrown, Carl G. Strandlund, and Walter H. Silver, Moline, Ill., assignorsto Deere & Company, -Moline, Ill., a corporation of Illi-v noisApplication october 24, 1927. serial No. 228,142 'z claims. (c1. 97-143)5 is to provide such an implement wherein the three cultivator gangs arefree to swing transversely, each independently of the others, so thateach gang can follow its individual lister row. The lists are usuallymade with an implement which only makes one or two lists at a time, and,owing to unsteady driving of such implement, it frequently happens thatthe spacing between adjacent rows will vary considerably. Accordingly,it is important in a multiple row cultivator of the present type thatthe separate cultivator gangs be capable of shifting laterally withincertain limits, independently of each other, so that the gangs canaccurately follow the lateral devia-V tions in the rows. Such object isattained in the present constructionof 4implement byl an improved methodof pivotally connecting the gangs ate gang to swing to either sideindependently of the laterally disposed gangs. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a lister cultivator of theabove general description wherein the three cultivator gangs are'dis-Yposed in staggered relation. The purpose of this is to permit the gangsto follow the deviations in the plant rows without the gangs interferingwith each other; and to permit the implement to be turned at the ends ofthe field without vthe r gangs colliding with each other inr suchturning movement. 'Ihis object is preferably attained by placing the twooutwardly-disposed gangs in substantially the same transverse plane andvplacing the intermediate gang in rear of the two outer gangs.

Another object of the invention" is to provide a lister cultivator ofthe above general description which is further characterized by improvedstabilizing means acting to steady the individual gangs and to hold thesame against lateral tipping. The two wheels which support each gangmust be spaced relatively close together to run in the relatively narrowwidth of the list or trench, and hence such wheels do not give muchlateral stability to the gang.` The present construction of implementembodies devices affording alinked connection between the three gangs,whichhold each of the gangs against lateral tipping, while stillpermitting the transverse swinging movement of the gangs, as describedabove.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lister cultivator of theabove generaldescription which is further characterized by improveddraft means which permits lateral deviation of the cultivator gangs infollowing their individual rows,

' while still transmitting a draft which is equalized between theseveral gangs. In this regard, the invention contemplates an improvedarrangement of the draft parts whereby the horse draft is transmitted tothe two outwardly disposed cultivator gangs, and isv thence transmittedfrom said outer gangs to the intermediate gang.

Other objects and' advantages of the invention will appear at length inthe following description of the preferred embodiment thereof. In thedrawings illustrating such embodiment:

Y Fig. 1 is a plan viewv inperspective of the implement;

, Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view in perspective, illustrating thedraft connections for the ,three gangs, but with the outer gangs removedin order to illustrate the intermediate gang in detail Y Fig. 3 is alongitudinal sectional view through the frontend of one of theoutergangs;

Fig..4 is a transversesectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4of Fig. 3; and

manner of connecting the rearwardly extending stabilizing bar to thetransversely extending stabilizing bar.

The implement'comprises three listercultivator gangs, the twooutwardlydisposed gangs being designated A andB, and the intermediate or centergang being designated C. The two laterally disposed gangs A and B aresubstantial duplicates, with the exception that. one is a left hand unitandthe other a right hand unit; The intermediate .gang C is'similar inconstruction to the outer gangsA and B, only differing therefrom inthemanner of establishing the draft connection with the intermediategang and in the fact that such intermediate gang has no draft pole, aswill hereinafter appear. Accordingly, we shall only describe one oftheseV gangs in detail, and in this regard, attention is directed to thefact that these gangs correspond in their general-construction to thegangs illustrated in Patent No. 1,148,613, issued to W. A. Paul onAugust 3, 1915.

Referring specifically to the gang or unit A, it will be noted that itcomprises a frame which is built up of a longitudinally extendingchannel bar 10 and a; transversely extending bar `11 at the rear endthereof. The transverse bar 11 extends across the rear end oftheinverted channel bar and is rigidly secured thereto by angle brackets orin any other suitable manner. Extending forwardly from the front end ofthe channel bar 10 is a draftpole 12, the vchannel bar 10 forming asocket in which the pole is rigidly secured by a horizontally extendingboltf13 (Fig. 3), which passes through the side flanges cf the channelbar and through the tongue,'and also by a vertical bolt 14 which passesdownwardly through theL web of the channel 10 andA through rthe tongue.It will be understood that the other gang'unit B also has a draft pole12 extending forwardly therefrom, which is connected to its channel bar10 in the same manner. The aforementioned frame consisting of thechannel bar 10 and trans-A verse bar 11 is braced by diagonallyextending brace bars or rods 15 which are connected` at their forwardends tothe -horizontally extending bolt 1 3. The rear ends of thesediagonal brace bars are bent rearwardly and are provided with openingsto4 receive bolts 16 which connect the ends Y of the bars 11- and 15.`'The bolts 16 also constitute -pivots on whichra tool carrying frame ispivotally mounted. Such'tool carrying frame comprises primarily atubular bar 17, preferably of square cross-section. Secured to theopposite ends of such bar are clamp devices or bracket members 18-whichare clamped to the outer surface of thev bar and which have forwardlyextending` pivot eyes having pivotal mounting on the boltsl.l Thus thetool carrying. bar 17 and the frame 10e-11 are capable of verticalpivotal movement relative to each other about the axis of the bolts 16.Pivotally connected to the under sides of the two brackets 18, forhorizontal swinging movement, arer rearwardly extending arms 19 j whichcarry suitable earthworking tools at their rear ends. In the arrangementshown, weghave illustrated discs 21 as being mounted on the arms 19, butit will be vevident that shovels or -any other desired type of earthworking devices may be mounted onthese arms in lieu of the discs`21.

The arms 19 are adapted'to-be swung inwardly,V or outwardly to vary thedistance between the earth working ltools carried thereby, andxto beclamped in any adjusted positionYV by a suitable arrangement of.clamping bolt engaging in a curved slot in the bracket 18, the detailsof which need not bedescribed asthey are old andwellknown. It will alsobe understood that the ,earth workingtools can be set atdifferentfangles with lc'ent to thel outwardly extending spindleportions,

are links 25 (best shown in Fig. 2) which extend `upwardly and forwardlyto a pivoted yoke 26.

Such yoke comprises two spaced straps 26 which extend down on theopposite sides of the channel .bar 10, being pivotally connectedlthereto by the bolt 13 which extends through both straps 26. VSaidstraps extend down below the channel bar 10 ,and'have their lower endsapertured to re-y ceivethe ends of the links 25, such links havinginwardly turnedV ends 27 which project through the apertures in thestraps from the outer sides lever carries of the straps. Pivotallymounted upon such inwardly turned ends, between the straps 26, is aclevis 28 with which a second clevis 29 is linked. The latter clevis haspivotal connection with a doubletree comprising an evener bary 31, tothe outer ends of which singletrees 32 are pivotally connected. It willthus be seen that draft'energy effective on the evener bar 3l istransmitted to the lowerends of the straps or yoke members 26, and ethence through the links 25 to the bell wheelsk 24 and to the earthworking tools carried by the gang.

The yokemeniber 26 is held against swinging movement with this draftpull through the instrumentality of a vlever 3a which is pivotallysupported on a suitable pivot bracket mounted 'on the upper vside of thechannel bar 10. The any suitable latch mechanism adaptedto cooperatewith a latching sector 35, which sector is formed as part of the pivotbracket on which the lever is mounted. A link 36 is pivotally connectedto said lever and extends forwardly for veffecting pivotal connection at37 with. the upper end of the yoke 26. The upper ends of the two strapswhich form said yoke are brought together and the transversely bent end37 ofi-the link 36 is passed through openings in such Aends of thestraps. lt will be evident from the foregoing that shifting the lever 3dfore and aft the yoke :26 will be' rocked on the bolt 13 as a pivot,which will shift the links 25 and thus swing. the bell wheels fore andaft about the pivot bolts 16, thereby swinging the tui-cular frame bar17 to move the soilengaging tools 21 into or out of engagement with theground.

Extending through the Ytubular bar cr shaft 17, and rotatable therein,is a second tool carrying shaft 39. The outer ends of the latter shaftare preferably formed square to have brackets 41 'rinly clamped thereon.Bars or arms i2 extend rearwardly from the brackets 41 and carrysuitable earth working tools 43.l In lthe arrangement shown, we haveillustrated these earth working tools as being shovels, but it will beevident that discs or rany other desired type ofY cultivating devicesmay be mounted on the arms 42 instead of these shovels.- Provision ismade for adjusting the two arms 42 of each gang or unit inwardly oroutwardly with respect to the unit 'to vary the distance between theearth working tools carried thereby,` each such adjustment being securedby a suitable clamping bolt cari' d by arm which effects clampingengagenie lin a curved slot in the bracket 41. This adjustmentlcorresponds more or'less to .the adjustment pron vided for the arms 19,and needl not be described v in detail as it is old and lwell-known.

The second set of cultivating devices e3, carried by. the arms el?,l may'be given different adjustments relative to the first set of cultivatingdevices'21 through actuation of a lever da. This lever is iixedlyrsecured to the inner tool shaft 39 on which the brackets 41 are mounted,and said lever is adapted to have latched -c-.iigsagementwith a notchedsector 45 which is illustrated comprising the bell wheels V24 and theirstandards 23, will be shifted fore and aft, and in such move- ,to coverthe young plantsin the bottom ofthe trench or list, so as to prevent theplants from being covered by the soil or otherwise injured in thecultivating operation. Such shield consists of an inverted angle shapedlmember, and has draft connection with itsgang or` unit through themedium of-upwardlyexteridingbars 48 which are pivotally connected to thesides of the channel bar 10, as best'shown in Fig; 2. Said shield isalso connected to the tool carrying arms 19 .through .chains 49.

The stabilizing means for the two outer gangs or units A and B comprisesa transversely 'extending bar 5l andlaterally swinging arms or links 52which pivotally connect the outer. portions of the stabilizingV bar 51with the gang units A and B. Each arm or link 52 has a downwardlyextending bearing-portion, indicated at 53 in Fig. l, which bearingportion extends down into a vertical bearing socketformed in a bracketor plate 54 which is secured to the rear end of the frame channel 10. Arelatively long area of bearing engagement is afforded between thebearing portion 53 and the bracket 54 so as to resist twisting stressesset up between the cultivator unit and the arm52 incident to any tippingtendency of the cultivator unit. Laterally swinging movement of the arm52, relative to the cultivator unit, is limited by stops 55 which`extend upwardly from the frame bar 11 on each side of the bracket plate54, such stops being spacedsuiciently to permit of the desired lateralshifting movement of the gang in following the lateral deviations/in itsplant row. The rear end of each arm 52 has an upwardly extending bearingsocket (not shown) in which is swiveled a clamping device, indicatedgenerally at 56. This clamping device comprises any suitable arrangement.of cooperating clampingl parts which rigidly engage'around the endportion ofthe transverse stabilizing bar 51. The pivotal connection`between the clamping device 56 and the arm 52 permits of relativeshifting movement of the stabilizing bar 5l, which occurs when one orVVthe other-of the cultivator units swings inwardly or outwardlyinfollowing its lister row. It will be evident that the stabilizing bar51, in cross-connecting the twoarms`52 `in the manner described,prevents either of these .longitudinal axis relative to itsindividualgang, and hence theV arms and stabilizing bar hold the twogangs against lateral tipping, while still permitting said gangs toshift inwardly or outwardly in following their lister rows. Secured tothe intermediate' portion of the stabilizing bar 5l is the operatorsseat 57, fromj which position the operator can conveniently reach thelevers 34 and 44 of the gangs. l

The structure which we have thus far described corresponds to aconventional two-rowlister cultivator of the type disclosed in the Paulpatent previously referred to. Referring now to the connection andoperative association of the intermediate cultivator gang C with thetwoouter gangs A and B, it will beV seen from Fig. 1 that theintermediate gang is disposed considerably in rear of the'transverseplane ofthe two outer gangs. Such location of the intermediate gangpermits all three gangs to swing laterally in following the deviationsin the plant rows without interference between the gangs; and valsopermits the implement to be turned at the ends of the fieldv Without thegangs colliding with .each other in such turning movement. As previouslyremarked, the intermediate gang is in all material respects a duplicateof the outer gangs A and B, only differing therefrom in its draftconnections. Referring to Fig. 2, such intermediate gang comprises theframe channel l0 and the pivotally mounted yoke 26, similarly to theouter gangs. Pivotally connected to the outer sides of the yoke bars 26are a pair of forwardly extending draft members 58. The links 25 havetheir inwardly turned ends 27 passing through such draft members 58, andthrough the lower ends of the yoke bars 26, 'so that the draft pull onthe members 58 is transmitted to the links'25, as described of the outergangs. The draft, members 58 extend back beyond the yoke 26 and havetheir rear ends pivotally connected at 59 to links 61 which extend downfrom the frame bar 10, such links being pivotally supported'onvthe framebar to swing withv the yoke 26. Thus the draft members 58 have pivotalconnection with the frame bar 10 throughV a system of parallel links,which permits of for'e and aft swinging of the wheel support throughactuation of the lever 34, as previously described'of the outer gangs.

The front ends of the draft members 58 have pivotal attachment to thecenter of a transversely extending draft bar 63. Such pivotal attachmentispreferably effected by securing spaced plates 64 to the upper andlower sides of the draft bar, and extending these platesrearwardlytherefrom to supportV a vertical pivot bolt 65. The draft members 58have looped'engagement around the pivot bolt 65 between the plate 64, sothat the ine termediate gang C is free to swing laterally with referenceto the draft bar 63, around the axis Aof the bolt 65. A truss rod 66 ispreferably extended along the bottom of the draft bar 63, suchl trussrod 'having its ends secured to the draft bar and having itsintermediate,portionsecuredto the lower plate 64.

The draft which is transmitted to the two outer gangs through thedoubletrees 31 is in turntrans- Vmitted to .the outer ends of the draftbar 63 through draft links 68. As best shown in Fig. 3, each of thesedraft links consists of two bars riveted together and having their endsseparated to `form a clevis 69 which engages over the upper isinterposed between thelink and the under side of the pole l2, and a clipor washer 73 is interposed between the .head of the bolt 14 and theunder side of the draft link, such clip or washer '73 having sideflanges which engage the sides of thelink, as best shown in Fig. 4. Itwill be apparent that the swinging link connection between the ends ofthe draft bar 63 and the two outer gangs A and B will transmit anequalized draft between the three gangs while still permitting each gangto swinger shift transverselyinV following its listerA row. That isto-say, by virtue of the pivoted link connection between theouter endsof the draft bar 63 and the outergan'gs, relative transverse shiftingmovement can occur between thedraft bar and the gangsso as to permit thetwo outer gangs to swing inwardly or outwardly, or to permit theintermediate gang .to` swing to either side, allY independently of eachother.

The stabilizingY means for the intermediate gang. C comprisesastabilizing bar or link 76 which extends diagonally forwardly from theintermediate unit to one end of the transverse stabilizing bar 51." Therear end of the stabilizing bar 76 has a downwardly extending bearingportion 77 which extends down into kthe vertical bearing socket formedin the bracket 54 of the gang frame. Thusthe rear end of the bar 76 haspivotal attachment with the intermediate' unit, similarly to the pivotalattachment of the arms 52 vwith the laterally disposedrunits A and B,The

front end: ofthe stabilizing bar 76 has a 'downwardly extending bearingportion '78 which-has bearing engagement in a tubular socket 79 carriedon the end'of the transverse'stabilizing bar. Referring to Fig. 5, itwill be seen that the bearing socket "79 is formed on one'side of ahorizontally extending sleeve 81. The latter is mountedon a short rod orshaft 82. which extends into the open end of kthe tubular stabilizingbar 51. The inner end of the rod 82v is` non-rotatably secured in thestabilizing bar 51 by a screw 83 which passes up through a hole in thebar 51 and threads into a hole in the rod 82. It Vwill be evident fromthe foregoing'that the rearwardly extending stabilizing bar 76 willhold'the intermediate unit C against lateral tipping, while stillpermitting lateral deviation of 'such unit in following the lister row.In such lateral movement, the transverse stabilizing bar 51 will beshifted endwise to one side or` the other, on the freely swinging'arms52. Suchr movement of the transverse stabilizingbar will carry theoperators seat 5'7 in a direction corresponding kto the lateral movementof the intermediate gang, so that irrespective of `the degree of suchlateral movement the operator will always be able to reach the levers 34and 44 oflsuchunit conveniently.

It will be seen from the foregoing'that we have provided"A a three-rowlister cultivator wherein each cultivator unit has flexibleconnection'with the fdraft `meansfand with the stabilizing means to theend of permitting-each cultivator Aunit to shift or swingtransversely,frelatively to the other units, in following itslistervrow.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. Ina three-row listercultivator, the combinationof three listercultivator gangs each comprising a wheel support'and cultivating devicescarried thereby, draft means shiftably supported upon the outer gangsfor relative lateral movement, a stabilizing bar extending"'transversely between the two outer gangs'arms pivotally supported onsaid outer gangs for lateral swinging movement and having pivotalconnectionwith the end portions of said stabilizing bar, a secondstabilizing barv having pivotal connection at one 'end with 'theintermediate gang for lateral' swinging movement, the other'end of saidsecond stabilizing bar having pivotal connection with said firststabilizing bar, the pivotal connections of said stabilizing barspermitting said cultivator gangs to shift transversely relatively toeach other in following deviations in their plant rows, and meanspivotally connectedat'its forward end lits rear. end with theYintermediate gang for transmitting draftto the latter.

2. In a-lister cultivator, in combination, a plurality of cultivatorgangs each having a frame embodying a longitudinally disposed member,draft means pivotally supported on the outer gangs and meansVpivotally.. connecting the gangs for lateral shifting movementindependently of each other, stabilizing means pivotally connecting theouter gangs and .holding them against Ytipping while permittingindependent lateral movementv thereof, a seat carried by the stabilizingmeans intermediate the ends thereof, the longitudinally disposed-membersfor the outer gangs extending forwardlyV of said draft means and thelongitudinally disposed member for the intermediate'gang being pivotallyconnected near its forward end with said draft means, and meansconnecting the intermediate gang with said stabilizing means adjacentone end thereof to maintain the seat in substantially xed relation tosaid intermediate gang. g

3. A lister cultivatorcomprising the combinav'tion of a pair ofcultivator gangs, means connecting said gangsl together comprising-a barextending transversely of the gang and having forwardly extending linkspivotally connected to each gang, av second bar spaced rearwardly of thefirst mentioned bar and extending transversely of the gangs and alsohaving forwardly extending links pivotally connected to each gang, draftmeans connected to each ofsaid two gangs,'a -third gang disposedintermediate said pair of gangs, and link means adapted to be fixed-withtwo outer gangs and an intermediate gang, means connecting said gangstogether comprising a draft bar extending transversely of the gangs andhaving forwardly extending links pivotally connected lto the outergangs, a stabilizing bar placed rearwardly of the rst mentioned barandextending transversely from the gangsr and also having forwardlyextending .links pivotally connected to the outer gangs, saidVintermediate gang having link means pivotally `connected to thestabilizing bar, and means including.. rigidly. connected links forYconnecting the `intermediate gang with said draft bar, said linksservingto preventefore and aft movement of. the intermediate gang` withrespect to said draft bar. v

5. I-n a three-row lister cultivator, the combination'of three listercultivator gangs, the two .outer gangs being Adisposed in substantiallythe to provide for a relatively long vertical pivot for the associatedgang and the stabilizing bar, re-

spectively, drafttransmitting members including angularly related linksconnecting said intermediate gang with said transverse draft means, andstabilizing -means for the intermediate gang Connected with saidstabilizing bar, including a generally rearwardly extending memberhaving a relatively long vertically disposed end pivotallyV connectedwith the intermediate gang to prevent tilting thereof. Y Y

6. In a lister cultivator, the combination of three lister cultivatorgangs each having a frame, a transverse draft bar shiftably connectingthe outer gangs for relative lateral movement, stabilizing meansextending between the two outer gangs for holding the same againstlateral tipping, stabilizing means pivotally connected with said firstnamed stabilizing means for lateral swinging movement about asubstantially vertical axis and extending from said rst namedstabilizing means to the intermediate gang for holding the latteragainst lateral tipping, said intermediate gang being disposedrearwardly of the outer gangs, and means movably connecting theintermediate gang with the draft means including a draft memberconnected with said draft bar and two pairs of links extending therefromto the frame of the intermediate gang.

7. In a lister cultivator, the combination of three lister cultivatorgangs each having a frame, a transverse draft bar shiftably connectingthe outer gangs and supported'thereon, stabilizing means extendingbetween the two outer gangs for holding the same against lateraltipping, stabilizing means pivotally connected with said first namedstabilizing means for lateral swinging movement about a substantiallyvertical axis and extending from said first named stabilizing means tothe intermediate gang for holding the latter against lateral tipping,and means for applying draft to the intermediate gang at a pointcorresponding to that at which draft is applied to the outer gangsincluding a draft member connected with said draft bar and two pairs oflinks extending upwardly therefrom to the frame of the intermediategang.

THEOPHILUS BROWN. CARL G. STRANDLUND. WALTER H. SILVER.

